New Textbook Aims to Put Constitution in Hands of Zimbabwean Students

A new textbook by legal scholar Believe Guta seeks to make Zimbabwe’s Constitution accessible to secondary school students (image source)

HARARE — A new textbook designed to demystify Zimbabwe’s Constitution for secondary school learners has been launched more than a decade after the supreme law came into effect.

Constitutional Studies for Schools in Zimbabwe: A Guide to the Constitution for Zimbabwean Secondary School Students, authored by legal scholar and civic education advocate Believe Guta, was published in Harare by the Big Brains Legal Aid Trust. The book seeks to move constitutional knowledge out of courtrooms and political debate and into classrooms.

Guta said the textbook responds to a long-standing gap in civic education and was inspired by section 7(b) of the Constitution, which obliges the State to promote public awareness of the Constitution and ensure it is taught in schools. “More than 10 years after the Constitution came into effect, this constitutional aspiration has not been fully realised,” he said.

The book translates complex constitutional concepts into age-appropriate lessons, covering constitutional supremacy, systems of governance, the Bill of Rights, civic duties, judicial independence and constitutional amendment procedures. It uses everyday examples, local case studies, illustrations and classroom activities to help learners see how constitutional values operate in real life.

The book handles translating complex legal principles into practical, classroom-ready civic education (image source)

A defining feature of the textbook is its balanced emphasis on rights and responsibilities. While freedoms are clearly explained, the text also stresses civic duties, environmental stewardship, tolerance and active participation in governance. Guta said the non-partisan tone presents the Constitution as a national social contract suitable for diverse school contexts.

The textbook is tailored as a practical resource for educators, with teaching aids and classroom exercises designed to foster understanding rather than rote memorisation. “If young people understand the Constitution early, they are more likely to respect it, defend it and use it responsibly,” Guta said.

Guta, who has authored several other books including Blueprint of Success and Legal Battles of an Entrepreneur, said this is his fourth publication and reflects his commitment to making legal knowledge accessible.